Optical path conversion component and method for manufacturing optical path conversion component

Abstract

An optical path conversion component includes a light-transmitting member; one or plurality of lenses; one or plurality of optical waveguides; and a formed part. The light-transmitting member has a first surface and a second surface that forms an angle of less than 90° with the first surface, and includes a region made of glass. The one or plurality of lenses are provided on the second surface. The one or plurality of optical waveguides are provided in the region, and are optically coupled to the one or plurality of lenses, respectively. The formed part is provided on the second surface, and contains a same constituent material as a constituent material of the one or plurality of lenses. The formed part has a surface parallel to any surface among outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member except for the second surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical path conversion component, comprising:
 a light-transmitting member having a first surface and a second surface that forms an angle of less than 90° with the first surface, and including a region made of glass;   one or plurality of lenses provided on the second surface;   one or plurality of optical waveguides provided in the region, and optically coupled to the one or plurality of lenses, respectively; and   a formed part provided on the second surface, and containing a same constituent material as a constituent material of the one or plurality of lenses;   wherein the formed part has a parallel surface parallel to any surface among outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member except for the second surface.   
     
     
         2 . The optical path conversion component according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the formed part is aligned with the one or plurality of lenses in a direction parallel to the first surface.   
     
     
         3 . The optical path conversion component according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the one or plurality of lenses and the formed part are shaped by depressions formed on the second surface.   
     
     
         4 . The optical path conversion component according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the second surface is made of glass.   
     
     
         5 . The optical path conversion component according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the one or plurality of lenses and the formed part are made of resin.   
     
     
         6 . The optical path conversion component according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the light-transmitting member includes a first member made of glass, forming the region, and having the first surface, and a second member fixed to the first member and including the second surface, the one or plurality of lenses, and the formed part.   
     
     
         7 . The optical path conversion component according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein a constituent material of the second member is different from a constituent material of the first member.   
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing the optical path conversion component according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 forming the one or plurality of lenses and the formed part in a same process and using a same forming method; and   forming the one or plurality of optical waveguides while using the parallel surface of the formed part as a positional reference.   
     
     
         9 . The method for manufacturing the optical path conversion component according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein in the forming the one or plurality of optical waveguides, the region is irradiated with a laser beam for forming focal points in the region to form the one or plurality of optical waveguides.